Can anyone explain to me --- simply --- what the JW 'discreet slave' thing means?

Question

Please no copy and pastes --- you will not be considered for best answer.

Just explain in your own words what this means, and why it is important.

This is not meant as an attack --- I just don't know much about this and would like to know more.

Thank you!

Answer 1

The “slave” is the group of anointed Christians on earth. This slave class is entrusted with caring for Jesus’ earthly interests and with providing timely spiritual food. A small group of qualified overseers from among the composite “faithful and discreet slave” form the Governing Body, serving as the representative of the slave class. They direct the worldwide Kingdom-preaching work and the supplying of spiritual nourishment at the right time. Christ leads the congregation by means of the spirit-anointed “faithful and discreet slave” and its Governing Body.

Answer 2

The verses on this are found in Matthew 24:42-51. It is about keeping on the watch for Jesus' second coming and the end of the world. The Faithful and Wise (Discreet modern English) Servant is simply the religious organization that has kept faithful and not adopted manmade/pagan teachings and ungodly conduct. Jesus mentioned that this group would be given charge over all his belongings.

When the Jews were being religious in Jesus' day, it was according to manmade traditions. They were told if they did not obey, there place would be taken away and given to the nation producing the right fruits.

The apostles warned of the falling away from true Christian faith and said not to expect the end until this falling away had occurred.

ANY religion that supposedly has not fallen away to manmade teachings could apply this term to themselves.

In any case, the religion that is not manmade with be given charge of Jesus belongings in the righteous new earth. They will be the ones to continue his educational work and welcome back the resurrected dead and help them, give them houses, etc.

Debbie

Answer 3

Using the King James version bible. hope this helps and I typed it out, not cut and paste and it was not easy.

Matthew 24:45 Jesus had just explained that this man went away to procure the kingdom for his son. giving warnings that he would come at a time they didn't expect them to come.
45 "who then is a fathful and wise servant, whom his Lord has made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
This is self explaination: It means religious leaders, who in Jesus day were the Pharisees who were rich money lovers.
So it could not be a religious leader who is preaching lies.
For money or profit.
47 Verily I say unto you,that he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
48 But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, my Lord delayeth his coming. And shall begin to smite his fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunkards. The Lord shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, in an hour that he is not aware of. And shall cut him asunder and appoint him his portions with the hypocrites there shall be weaping and nashing of teeth."

so what that is saying when Jesus came to the earth to look it over who was actually doing the will of God?
Who was the faithful slave or servant who was giving people the correct information. What religious leaders are actually teaching the bible? surly we think that are teachers are or we would be in another religion.

Answer 4

this has to do with the ones directing the preaching work at the end.
Matthew also says when this preaching work is complete the end will come.
I can only think of one religion caring on this work and they are also the most persecuted.

Answer 5

Hello Kl,
are shall I call you cool girl? I think it is more about watching for Jesus's coming. Also, I have heard that it has to do with after he comes, we could rule with him. However, I have heard other people differ on this opinion. Stay cool Kl.

Answer 6

Matthew 24:45 “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. 47 Truly I say to YOU, He will appoint him over all his belongings.

http://www.watchtower.org
email me, I'll answer any questions you have.

Answer 7

In the KJV the words are "faithful and wise servant". It is just a difference in the translation of the JW version of the Bible.

See Matt. 24: 45 - http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/24/45#45

PS. I am not a JW.

Answer 8

Every word of this answer was typed by the answerer today (except the Scriptural citations).

At the request of his disciples, Jesus discussed the signs associated with his then-future "presence", which both they and he connected with "the conclusion of the system of things".
...(Matthew 24:3) The disciples approached [Jesus] privately, saying: “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?”

Recall that the first "presence" of Jesus was not a momentary event, but lasted over three decades. Similarly, Jesus proceeded to list a series of striking signs that together would uniquely indicate that Jesus second "presence" was ongoing and would likely also continue for decades.
...(Matthew 24:6-14,24,25) You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars... but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress. [True Christians] will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name. Then, also, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and mislead many; and because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off. But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come. ...For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. Look! I have forewarned youU.

Jesus taught that the precise beginning of his second presence would be unexpected. Even so, at least some Christians would already be doing the right thing in providing correct spiritual food to others.
...(Matthew 24:36-37,42-47) Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father. For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. ...You do not know on what day your Lord is coming. ...On this account you too prove yourselves ready, because at an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming. Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so.

Thus, Jesus' own teachings pointed to a group that would already be dispensing correct spiritual food at the beginning of Christ's second presence. Jesus' words indicate that he would examine all of Christianity and select ("appoint him over all his belongings") whichever agency Jesus felt was best performing the type of spiritual feeding and shepherding that would be needed even more as world conditions worsened during the approach to Armageddon. Jesus himself called this agency "the faithful and discreet slave" and "the faithful steward".
...(Matthew 24:45-47) Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. Truly I say to you, He will appoint him over all his belongings.
...(Luke 12:41-44) Peter said: “Lord, are you saying this illustration to us or also to all?” And the Lord said: “Who really is the faithful steward, the discreet one, whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time? Happy is that slave, if his master on arriving finds him doing so! I tell YOU truthfully, He will appoint him over all his belongings.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Christ appointed their predecessors as "the faithful and discreet slave". As a group, all the anointed Jehovah's Witnesses on the earth are considered part of that composite "slave [class]". Of course, that in itself means nothing for the day-to-day Christian life of the individual. An individual anointed Witness may not even meet the Scriptural qualification for appointment as a congregation elder or ministerial servant ("deacon"). Of course, "the faithful slave" cannot supersede the bible, and the bible does not teach that the slave or its individuals could receive miraculous messages from heaven. They would simply work diligently, and make conscientious decisions about which "food" to feature at which "proper time", remaining alert to current trends and dangers, and helping their brothers to be effective in the ministry which would also identify Christ's presence and even "the end" of this system of things.
...(Matthew 24:14) And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.

Answer 9

Apparently, it is just a term used to refer to the living people who are going to be Raptured (since, I presume, that some of the 144,000 raptured souls are supposed to already be dead, maybe...). Well, that's what I got from the wikipedia article at least....

Answer 10

you know rebel, I often think about that when I lie awake staring up at the stars...or was that an airplane with its lights blinking?

It's a shame they left out the 144001 person to be rewarded with immortality. who who who why it's Barney the Dino '-) I LUV U U LUV ME

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(get your paws off me, mr. dino)